Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-10-07

happiness she would feci IN reJoming her
husband.
She slept very badly, ut times certain
that Roger would return her letter, and
at others, drcading that he would not do
SO, especially when she remembered his
inso.cnt, ironical look.
About in the morning, just rs the
fatigue brought on by her emotion was
setting her asleep, she was awakened with
a start ny the sound OF hurried footsteps.
Some one raped nj the door.
"Alice, il il I, " called ont Mr.. Nivien's
joyful voice.
She FASTENED to let him in, exclain.ing
with transports "Why, IL il you alreadyi
| was not expecting You FOR two DAYS yet?"
81 wished TO surprise You. / was able
TO finish all my business little ahead of
time, but did not dare send you word,
as | was afraid that ut the last moment
something might have sprung up to detain
me in Paris.
The young voman's heart was over
flowing with happiness in being again
with her husband, who loved her so ten
derby, while at the same time il was op-
pressed with feelings of shame and re-
morse.
All Of n Sudden she gave start the
clock was striking $; the postman would
soon arrive with newspapers and letters,
and among them would be that cursed
letter Of hers.
She would have been glad to find some
excuse 10 send her husband Off. but ideas
fitted SO rapidly through her mind that
she could grasp no single one. With her
eyes fixed on the clock she could only re-
peat 10 herself: "The postman is coming
with my letter."
81 am hungry" said Mr.. Vivien. "Sup-
pose we 90 down TO breakfast. l have
been travelling since midnight
And both went down together.
As luck w0uld have it, the postman
was behind time that morning To Alice.
the voice of her husband sounded as it
would have done in distant dream, a.
she pictured To herself the row that was
going TO take place.
She looked at him eating so heartily,
his eyes beGming with tenderness and
confidence, and she thought how soon all
that quiet happiness would vanish, and
all through her fault.
At last she heard the postman's foot
step, and soon after, the servant laid the
mail on The table.
Mr.. Niyicn looked mechanically at the
envelopes; there were three letters.
Alice, overcome with terror felt the
blood coursng about her temples and
buzzing through her ears as she closed
her eyes, almost ready to faint away.
WHO writes 10 you in this place.
asked her husband, handing her small,
scented envelope addressed in strange
handwriting.
Il don't know stammered she.
Look and see.
But Alice held her letter without dar-
ing 10 open it.
We'll, why don't YOU read that letter."
insisted Mr.. Vivien.
Then with n movement Of despair, she
abruptly handed him the letter, saying:
Read it YOURSELF and she awaited,
expecting TO see everything fall to pieces
about her.
She heard the noise Of tearing paper,
and then, after few seconds OF mortal
agony, her husband said:
1T he letter is signed Roger de Beau
mont. lie is secretary of Il benevolent
committee. and requests your aid in rails
ng funds for the orphans"
\ few days later Mr. Vivien took Alice
back to Paris. The young woman had
not seen anything Of Roger, and she was
terribly worried by the thought that her
letter had remained in the young mans
pos cssiOn
The remembrance Of that letter became
the torture of her life
AZ times she would have n crazy notion
Of throwing herself at her husbands feet
and acknowledging her moment Of folly,
but She was terrified at the thought that
il might destroy their quiet happiness
Another fear also oppressed her and
clicked down the ayoWal that her over
hurdcncd heart wished tc make
"Will my husband really believe that
man obtained only those few lines OF love
from mc.n
She would occasionally see Roger at the
play. at the race or on the promenade: in
looking at her he would always smile in
sGch hooking way that she would
ircnblc from shame and anguish.
Ten years went by in this way. At last.
they met bychance one evening nj grand
ball Roger came forward 10 engage
Alice for dance 1t was only by super
human effort that she did not faint, but
ON rejecting that she would perhaps never
again have IN opportunity Of speaking to
the man who held her honor, nay even her
life, In his hands, She accepted his invita-
ton.
Sir" said she in low voice, ''for
heavens sake have pity on me this time
Give mc back my peace Of mind. During
. he past ten years of my life / have been
tortured almost 10 death. Tor PHYS sake,
return the letter which | 50 foolishly
wrote to YOU
Roger burst out in n loud, careless
laugh while the woman stood painting
Witl imp0tiencc and anger.
~ last he answered frankly, his voice
still seeming fun Of fun:
why do you think that have been
keeping all the love letters that / received
during my lifes On my honor swear
it, lighted my cigar with yours the day
you left the seaside, when saw that all
hope was lost. '-Translated from the
French Of Morand for The Times Demo
crat.